Pick your own

The British countryside is a free source of the freshest, juiciest fruit imaginable, and pick-your-own farms are full of professionally-grown product, ripe for picking.

Blackberries, raspberries, and even strawberries can all be found growing wild in abundance, but if you're not lucky enough to live near a source, why not visit a pick-your-own farm to gather your glut. They guarantee a bumper crop, are much cheaper than buying from a supermarket, it makes a fun, family day out, and you simply can't get fresher!

The British countryside is a free source of the freshest, juiciest fruit imaginable, and pick-your-own farms are full of professionally-grown product, ripe for picking.

Blackberries, raspberries, and even strawberries can all be found growing wild in abundance, but if you're not lucky enough to live near a source, why not visit a pick-your-own farm to gather your glut. They guarantee a bumper crop, are much cheaper than buying from a supermarket, it makes a fun, family day out, and you simply can't get fresher!

When picking berries, only go for the ripest the flavour is far superior and unripe berries will not ripen once picked. If it looks too small or the colour isn't quite right or patchy, it's best to leave it where it is. If ready for picking, fruit will come off the stem easily. The central part of a raspberry or blackberry should stay on the plant. Always 'place' your fruit into a basket – tossed in, fruit bruises and can easily become ruined. With all self-picked fruits, don't wash them until you're ready to use them – excess moisture can also hasten their demise.